Space.com

On August 21, for the first time in forty years, 500 million people across the United States can witness a spectacular total solar eclipse. Known as the All American Eclipse, this extraordinary event is expected to attract visitors from around the world.

Our client, celebrated astronomer and eclipse expert Andrew Fraknoi, is part of the Eclipse Task Force that’s helping government officials prepare for extreme gridlock and necessary porta-potties, water, and food supplies. In addition, he recently helped persuade Google and the Moore Foundation to donate 2 million eclipse glasses to public libraries across the United States.

His latest book, When the Sun Goes Dark, is a fun, beautifully illustrated guide that helps families teach their children about the eclipse, and was recently featured on Space.com. In a fascinating interview, he stressed the importance of training “intermediary educators,” or members of the public who can go on to teach other members of the public, in making scientific knowledge more widespread:

“We’ve spent quite a bit of time over our careers in astronomy education training intermediaries,” Fraknoi said. “We’ve always thought about who exactly it is that does education and how we can get to [them].”

It’s important to reach grandparents and other informal educators because, according to Fraknoi, they have resources available to them, such as time, to learn about the science. “When the Sun Goes Dark” offers examples of ways to explain solar eclipse science, which informal educators can then use themselves to teach family and friends, Fraknoi said.

He goes on to explain that the upcoming eclipse will provide the perfect opportunity to get young astronomers started on a lifetime of learning:

“If you want kids at an early age to be thinking about astronomy, the most accessible object in the night sky is, of course, the moon, [because] it is dramatic.”

Stargazers have a lot to look forward on August 21st. Be sure to check out Fraknoi’s free booklet describing the eclipse in everyday language.